Closed Circuit

Closed Circuit

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 8/30/13

Reviewed 9/3/13 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Gary 

2 1/2 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

Closed Circuit starring Eric Bana and Rebecca Hall is billed as a thriller. I wouldn't quite say it's thrilling, but there's enough excitement to make it interesting. Bana has been great in past projects and while he and Hall are both somewhat underrated, they both should be in more films.

Taking place in London, the legal system is portrayed as it is, unique, at least by US standards. The defense team is oddly separated from each other which isn't well explained, but most important I think it's time to get rid of the whole robe and wig thing. Really!

Terrorist bomb explosion reels off in a heavy foot traffic marketplace killing over 100 victims. Cameras everywhere (thus the title), they easily capture the suspect - a Turk named Farrokh Erdogan. His family, including Turk's son Emir, is now under house arrest and unbeknownst to both sides holds the key to the case. The appointed legal team to defend Farrokh is the divorced Martin Rose (Bana) and Claudia (Hall). Claudia being the cause of the marital breakup explains the friction and chemistry that is still apparent.

They don't disclose this when directly asked and it eventually has some far reaching effects. Spectacular actor Ciaran Hinds plays Devin, an investigator liaison working with the defense team, but disappointingly is underutilized in the film.

When the defense goes to present the case, all hell breaks loose when information is disclosed that is considered a threat to national security and the secret agency Mi5. The story is fascinating at times with the legal system and the breakdowns in that system while the whole surveillance subject is hovering at the surface fringe waiting to break through. With that being said, they could really have done better with the conclusion and the quickly forced wrap up, but Gary and I thought it still was worth seeing.

QUIET Rating system: 2 1/2 Js

Quality: JJj

Understood story:  JJj

Interest: JJ

Entertainment:  JJj

Time:  JJJj